200 inquiries as Sidney Kidman cattle farms offered in one line

The $300 million plus marketing of Australia’s biggest landowner and historic cattle producer, S. Kidman and Co Ltd, is well underway.

Ernst & Young Adelaide managing partner Don Manifold said EY had been flooded with "significant" interest in the prospect. The Australian Financial Review says there have already been 200 inquiries.

"It's gained a lot of attention from domestic and international bidders," Mr Manifold said, stressing it will be sold in one line.

Australia's biggest private rural landholding, which includes the world's largest cattle station, is up for sale by the pioneering company. 

Eleven cattle stations covering more than 100,000 square kilometres are set to be offered next month with documentation through Ernst and Young Adelaide.

S. Kidman and Co. is 98% owned by members of the Kidman family, represented by 58 shareholdings.

Not all wanted to sell, The Land reported, adding last financial year the company reported a net operating cashflow of $9.3 million and paid dividends of 20 cents a share. 

But it recorded a net after tax loss of $1.4m as herd numbers declined 15 per cent because of tough seasonal conditions to 182,350 head, and their livestock market value fell about $10 million to $97.4 million.

The cattle king Sir Sidney Kidman's first purchase was in 1886: Owen Springs south-west of Alice Springs.

The business still has cattle stations across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. 

Anna Creek Station in South Australia's outback is the largest at 23,000 square kilometres. 

"This is a world class asset of international significance," said Alex Thamm a rural valuer with Colliers International.

The Kidman family has $364 million net worth, as ranked 37th on the BRW Rich Family List, spread across family groups based in Australia, the United Kingdom and United States.